Which baby would you rather have ...

[odoole]

Just a fun hypothetical here, nothing to take too seriously. I'm just not so sure myself which I type of baby I would prefer. And do you think it has any bearing on how they grow up to be as older children and adults?

Baby A: Sits quietly and contentedly playing with his/her toys for indefinite periods of time, doesn't seem to notice or care if you're nearby or not, but does seem to enjoy interacting with you when you make the effort.

Baby B: Generally happy, but sooooo busy. Requires constant, I mean CONSTANT interaction/stimulation/supervision. His curiosity knows no bounds and he wants to touch/grab/explore everything he possibly can and wants it NOW and ALL AT ONCE! The only type of independent play he seems capable of is the destructive kind (sifting through your wallet, dumping everything out, and tearing up your paper money, for example).

As you might have guessed, mine is baby B (almost 10 months old). I wouldn't call him High Needs because he's pretty happy most the time and a very sweet kid, but is also very demanding and easily frustrated. At the end of the day I am soooo worn out!!! I see people in my baby groups with babies who are more like baby A and sometimes I really, really envy them!

[sprouthead]

I have baby B too... sometimes i wish i had baby A

[RTT]

Well, both of mine have been baby Bs so that's what I'm used to and I guess I'd have to say I prefer that. I can't really imagine having an A.

[Knitting Mama]

Cecilia's shaping up to be Baby B, and I couldn't be happier.

[mambera]

Does Baby A even exist? Doesn't notice or care whether mom is nearby? That doesn't sound realistic.

[DevaMajka]

Your description of baby B made me smile, because it's ds2 to a T. I'd rather have Baby B. (but if I had a baby A, I'm sure that would be my preference).

He definitely wears me out. And this is so so him. lol:

The only type of independent play he seems capable of is the destructive kind (sifting through your wallet, dumping everything out, and tearing up your paper money, for example).

I dunno. He's work, but he's so frickin' fun. My FIL calls him "jolly". He's my wild child! If he had been my first, I would have been so so so worn out. For some reason it's not as tiring nowadays that the only time I get to sit peacefully is when I'm nak.
It helps that I have a 5yo who LOVES to play with him, and helps watch out for him, so I do get some baby-breaks.

[odoole]

Originally Posted by mambera

Does Baby A even exist? Doesn't notice or care whether mom is nearby? That doesn't sound realistic.

Eventually they notice if Mom's not there, but I just mean they do perfectly fine for long periods of time whether or not mom is nearby. And by nearby, I also sort of mean nearby AND paying attention. There are a few of those in my baby group.

[CrazyCatLady]

I've had one of each. Type A can be really sweet, and it's interesting to watch them doing their own thing (plus the breaks are great).

Type B is certainly exhausting, but what fun they can be!

[odoole]

I dunno. He's work, but he's so frickin' fun. My FIL calls him "jolly". He's my wild child! If he had been my first, I would have been so so so worn out. For some reason it's not as tiring nowadays that the only time I get to sit peacefully is when I'm nak.
It helps that I have a 5yo who LOVES to play with him, and helps watch out for him, so I do get some baby-breaks.

Yeah, sometimes I feel like I don't know how anyone could possibly handle more than one child at a time ... on the other hand, I wouldn't mind having an energetic older child to keep my energetic young child entertained!

[limette]

I have to kids that fit baby B and am really hoping for a baby A this time around.

[caedmyn]

A! Absolutely! I've had both...except I would not describe Mr. B as happy, he is very intense, loves to scream about absolutely everything and throw tantrums, generally a very difficult child. I am generally frazzled even when he is being good (ie happy) because he is sooo active and thinks of the craziest things to do. Like throw metal bowls across the room, or toss my sneakers in the toilet, or step on his high chair tray while it's covered with food... He is fun, but sometimes I'd take a little less fun and a little (ok a lot!) more calm!

#3 is on the way, and I am DEFINITELY hoping for an A! Though a happy B would probably be a little more manageable.

[makinganescape]

funny question... My first was B 100%... She was great, and is actually shaping up to be a mellow preschooler. I was exhausted all the time with her back then, though, and I NEVER wanted to have another... Well, guess what happened... But, my little one is baby A, and what a difference it has been. It worked out perfectly because I have time for my older girl, who, though she has chilled out quite a bit, is still much higher needs than my baby, who can sit there and play for hours. If she wants me, she doesn't cry, she starts babbling to me... And I can actually walk to bed at night rather than dragging myself...

[LadyCatherine185]

DS is Baby B, except as a baby he was NEVER happy. Not until he started walking at 9.5 months old, then he became a very happy toddler. The rest of your description is him completely.. not to mention he JUST started sleeping decently.. so worn out days and lots of long nights. Although the older he gets the more and more he is able to entertain himself, AND he SLEEPS now!!! I know quite a few baby A's, and honestly they just don't seem as bright and funny as my boy.. Maybe it is just that they don't show as much personality.. more introverted whereas DS is a complete extrovert. However, I am pregnant with #2, and I'm kind of hoping for more of a baby A this time around.

[Norasmomma]

I've had both, DD was baby A, she was a contented, sweet little baby...until she learned how to walk. As a toddler she was INSANE, I mean crazy non-stop go-go girl, who'd never rest. She stopped napping at 19 months, her sweetness turned to full on tantrumming chaos. She was still a sweet girl, but her activeness and impulsiveness made things really hard, she did rip apart my purse, wallet, bit a hole in my shirt....the list goes on. She was a tidal wave of a toddler, she is a much nicer preschooler, but her qualities also can manifest into her behavior issues at times.

DS is baby B to an extent, he was a snuggly little guy, but now he's a wave of chaos. Since he learned to crawl and cruise we a constantly having to fish stuff out of his mouth, he is fast and furious and I have to say, all boy.

DD was a very active little girl and I am seeing DS will probably be similar as a toddler, but he has that snuggly mama's boy thing going on. DD was a daddy's girl, so sometimes we butted heads.

Just because a baby is like baby A doesn't mean they won't turn into baby B.

[EviesMom]

Well, I have 1 of each but my A was pretty clingy--she wanted to be in my lap, always, but was content to sit there playing while I talked to adults, etc.

My B on the other hand, has always been on the move and wants involvement.

Both are nice. A doesn't really get jokes; B has been telling jokes since he could talk. A is very artistic and book oriented. She is very detail oriented and loves replaying and drawing her favorite experiences. B didn't like books until "late" and mostly loves ones that he can point out his favorite objects like firetrucks. B scribbles at an age where A was drawing simple objects. On the other hand, B tells me elaborate stories about his scribbles and is absolutely thrilled with them. A would get frustrated at the same age that her large eyed early faces didn't have more realistic looking eyes.

[odoole]

Originally Posted by EviesMom

Well, I have 1 of each but my A was pretty clingy--she wanted to be in my lap, always, but was content to sit there playing while I talked to adults, etc.

My B on the other hand, has always been on the move and wants involvement.

Both are nice. A doesn't really get jokes; B has been telling jokes since he could talk. A is very artistic and book oriented. She is very detail oriented and loves replaying and drawing her favorite experiences. B didn't like books until "late" and mostly loves ones that he can point out his favorite objects like firetrucks. B scribbles at an age where A was drawing simple objects. On the other hand, B tells me elaborate stories about his scribbles and is absolutely thrilled with them. A would get frustrated at the same age that her large eyed early faces didn't have more realistic looking eyes.

Wow, that's fascinating! I wonder if other people have stories about how their babies turned out as kids? Also I wonder if there is a trend of girls being type A and boys being type B?

[kitteh]

That IS really interesting. I have a type A daughter, and sometimes I think I'm darn lucky that I do because I just don't know if I would have the patience for a type B
We plan to have another eventually, and I'm kind of worried about the possibility of getting a high-needs baby.

[JessieBird]

DS is definitely an A. Everything about him is easy and pretty much always has been. We've had our difficult phases but they don't last long and they're easy to figure out. Generally I feel really lucky about this (in a selfish my-house-is-clean-and-I-get-to-sleep-well-at-night kind of way) but there are two drawbacks
- I often feel totally unnecessary in his life, especially since he stopped nursing about a month ago. I try to reassure myself of the fact that he is so content and secure means I'm doing something right but he really doesn't seem to need or want me the way most babies need their parents (he's the same with DH).
- I'm totally caught off guard and unprepared when he has a bad day or is sick/teething. I haven't had to learn the patience and coping skills required to get through a bad day with grace and I usually break down by noon if he's not doing well. I'm terrified that #2 is going to be more challenging and I've had no training at all.

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by odoole

Wow, that's fascinating! I wonder if other people have stories about how their babies turned out as kids? Also I wonder if there is a trend of girls being type A and boys being type B?

Not here, DD is type B 100%. She is so active and gets into everything she's not supposed to. My friend has a type A DS, he is so mellow and I have to say I get a little baby activity level envy every now and then, but I just keep telling myself that her curiosity and/or quick moves will pay off someday...hopefully!

[StephandOwen]

My ds would have been described as a Baby A. Turns out it wasn't a good thing (for him) as he was diagnosed with autism. He was QUIET (seriously- no babbling or anything), totally content being by himself, wouldn't have cared if I only interacted with him long enough to feed him and change his diaper.

I work in a daycare and have seen those "Baby B" types..... they wear me out